The Adaptive Conversation Process: A Leader’s Guide to More Effective Conversations in an Ever-Changing World

Why do leaders sometimes avoid having important conversations, and when they do, why are some of those conversations simply…less effective than they could be? Is it a lack of confidence in knowing how to approach the many different types of conversations they have? Is it fear of conflict or consequence if the conversation gets off track? Is it just too difficult - too confusing amid so many frameworks - or does it simply take too much effort to get it right? The reality is, all of these are reasons why leaders avoid, or can be less effective, in their conversations, and in an ever-changing world there is more urgency now than ever before.

Leaders have so many conversations with their team members every day. If they are to get the most out of those conversations they must reflect and plan, so wouldn’t all leaders appreciate a way to make things easier? Wouldn’t it be great if we could be more efficient in preparing for conversational effectiveness?

We all have models, processes, and frameworks that we have studied and tried throughout our time as leaders. We tend to use what works for us, and there is value in most models out there. Yet, there is a fundamental truth that still exists. Before going into a conversation, we must take time to pause and think about all those models sitting in the wings, and only once we know “which type” of conversation we are about to have can we then choose the model or process or framework that we will follow. I don’t know about you, but that reality sounds exhausting.

Wouldn’t it be great - wouldn’t it be a little less exhausting - if before each conversation rather than having to decide which among the many to pull forward based on the conversation at hand, instead we could have in our pocket a single process model that could be easily adapted broadly?

It can get both confusing and time consuming when you need to pause and figure out which type of conversation you are about to have…and then ponder, compare, decide, recall, and finally select the one you might follow for that specific type of conversation. It is for this reason that the conversation process model we have developed is so unique and effective. Its greatest strength comes from the fact that it is adaptive, meaning the simple step-by-step process can be used effectively, and consistently, being adapted for different types of conversations. It allows you to be present in the conversation, actively listen to the other person, and have an anchor to refer to by simply asking yourself, “at what step in the process is our conversation currently?”

While the conversation process model we have developed provides a single progression for effective conversations, it does not require that you forego your pre-existing philosophical frameworks, whose tenets you may have adhered to over time. It is not just a theoretical model. It reflects the practical conversation techniques we have used throughout our careers as consultants, team leaders, executives, and colleagues to lead organizations, foster inclusion, and drive change.

Every single leader we shared this with agreed and wished it was something they “had last week,” obviously thinking of a coaching or mentoring session, or a performance conversation, or a teaching opportunity they recently had with someone on their team.

Our book is a deep dive into this conversation process model, and the workshop we bring to companies teaches leaders how to have effective conversations using this process – whether coaching, mentoring, performance, consulting, advising, teaching, training, change, etc.

Praise:
“So much more helpful than relying on different approaches to different conversations!”
“My active listening increased when I started using the Adaptive Conversation Process.”
“The Adaptive Conversation Process helped me add consistency and intention to dialogue.”
“This is now my #1 tool.”